Nuts notes: Team reacts to first-half success; Emerson talks return to the lineup
After clinching a playoff spot during the final regular season series of 2023 en route to the California League title, the Modesto Nuts in 2024 won’t have nearly as much suspense heading into the postseason.
The Nuts continued their exceptional play through the first half of the 2024 California League season, finishing atop the North with an impressive 41-23 record. They were the first team to 30 wins during the first half and finished with the best record in the entire league. Lake Elsinore won the south, finishing 32-32.
What might be more impressive than winning the first half of the California League season is how they got it done. They had an impressive road record and finished with a plus-147 run differential, scoring 441 runs and allowing just 294. Pitchers, catchers and fielders were in sync for the first 64 games of the season.
Because they posted the best record in the first half of the season, the Nuts secured an automatic berth into this year’s postseason.
“It is definitely nice going into the second half knowing that we’ve clinched a spot,” Nuts manager Zach Vincej said before the team’s July 1 matchup against the Fresno Grizzlies. “We’re already in the playoffs, which is a great accomplishment in itself, especially the amount of talent in this league, so we’re super proud of what we’ve done.”
After finding so much success early, their new challenge is making sure they don’t get complacent. In 2023, since they had to win nearly every game they played for the final few weeks, the Nuts entered the postseason playing their best baseball. In order to repeat as California League champions, peaking at the right time is key.
“The main thing is keeping our foot on the pedal,” said Mariners’ No. 7 prospect and infielder Tai Peete. “Keep competing because we still want to win. These games are going to help us progress and work on things, but they still matter and we still have to keep working together to win ball games.”
The Nuts played a split series against the Grizzlies during the first week of July, hosting Fresno for the first three games and going on the road for the final three. They travel to the Inland Empire for a six-game series against the 66ers on July 9-14. Their next home series is against Stockton on July 19-21.
Nuts’ Emerson returns to lineup from injury
Mariners No. 3 prospect Colt Emerson is happy to be playing baseball again. The Mariners first-round pick in the 2023 draft out of John Glenn High School in Ohio has played in just over 20 games this season due to injury. Emerson suffered a foot injury in Mid-may during the first half of the California League season and did off-field rehab in Arizona. He played just a few innings for the ACL Mariners on assignment before he was called back to Modesto.
“Baseball shape is like nothing else,” Emerson said July 1 of getting back into playing shape. “I didn’t play for six weeks, and I was training super hard every day and grinding and then I come back and I swing all day and I’m sore. Nothing gets you prepared for it besides playing games every day. And right now, I’m in that ramp-up process so I’m playing a certain amount of innings and coming out until I get to nine innings. I’m building up to it.”
He re-joined the Nuts lineup June 29 for the final game of their road trip to Stockton and has been slowly increasing his workload each game day. He played July 1 and 3 in the home portion of the split series against Fresno.
“It feels great that I’m back in Modesto playing baseball,” he said. “I’m gonna be grateful for every second I’m out here because … I’m a professional baseball player living my dream. There’s nothing to be but happy and grateful for where I’m at. Even if I was hurt, it doesn’t matter. I’m here now and I’m playing now.”
Fireworks night a hit at John Thurman Field
Fans weren’t treated to only a great game Wednesday, July 3, as the Nuts held their annual postgame fireworks show.
On the field, the team won 6-3 after falling behind 3-1 but scoring five unanswered runs in the middle innings. Emerson had two hits with a double and a team high two RBI. Carson Jones hit a home run and Jacob Sharp collected a pair of hits.
Nuts beat the heat
With 100-plus degree weather in the Central Valley for the past few weeks, the Nuts are finding ways to beat the heat. Vincej said the team has been more efficient with fielding drills and pregame batting practice to get players out of the sun while still getting better.
“We’re just trying to be smart with it, but also still get some good work,” he said. “We’re being creative with how we structure our batting practice and our defensive work, trying to limit the time on the field and making sure that they’re rested up and feeling good for the game.”
In the coming weeks, Vincej said the staff may shorten time on the field altogether, shortening the defensive periods and having about 20- to 30-minute batting sessions.
“It might be a little more work for us staff members because we’ll be running all over the place, but the players are important,” he said. “We need to make sure they’re healthy going into games and staying injury free.”
Montes, Arroyo called up in recent Mariners transactions
Outfielder Lazaro Montes and shortstop Michael Arroyo, the Mariners No. 4 and 9 prospects, respectively, were promoted to the High-A Everett AquaSox after consistently putting up impressive numbers during the first half of the California League season. They both saw action on their first day available, June 25, and have been mainstays in the AquaSox lineup.
Here is a look at other Nuts transactions over the past few weeks:
June 18: CF Carlos Jimenez assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners
June 25: 1B Jarrod Belbin assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners
June 25: SS Michael Arroyo assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts
June 25: OF Lazaro Montes assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts
June 30: RHP Will Schomberg assigned to Everett AquaSox from Modesto Nuts
July 1: RHP Jean Munoz assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners
July 1: RHP Adrian Quintana assigned to Modesto Nuts from ACL Mariners
Consistency is key
The Nuts’ outstanding record during the first half of California League play included a number of dominant showings on the road. In May, they beat Fresno 12-0, Rancho Cucamonga 14-0 and beat Stockton 16-1 and 16-4 on back-to-back days. In total, the Nuts went 25-8 away from John Thurman Field. In contrast at home, they finished just one game above .500 at home, going 16-15. Vincej chalks that up to coincidence. He said the team is focusing more on finding consistent preparation and routines. The wins and losses will work themselves out.
“We’re very consistent with our preparation and what we do,” Vincej explained. “That’s all I’m focused on is making sure that the players are completely prepared before the game starts and I’ll leave the results to whatever happens, happens.”
This story was originally published July 8, 2024 at 8:29 AM.
